Doulas

What is a Birth Doula?

A Birth Doula provides emotional and psychological support for the mother and her partner before, during and after birth. Having a birth doula as part of your birth team can significantly decrease your anxiety and worries about the entire birthing process. As we work together, I can help you to develop a birth plan, which will bring up discussions around the various topics you have questions about: like what to expect leading up to and during the birth of your child, explaining medical jargon your doctor uses in terms you can understand and aiding you through making the tough decisions before they even come up so you're not caught off guard if the unexpected happens. Not to mention the 24/7 support you will receive leading up to and throughout labour and delivery.

There is also usually a visit or two during the first few weeks postpartum where I will come to your house to see how Mom and baby are doing, and to help discuss and work through any issues with adjusting to having baby at home. One of the biggest issues being successful breastfeeding for Moms looking to breastfeed either partially or fully. Research has shown that the provision of continuous support during labour by a Doula is associated with improved maternal and fetal health, shorter labour time, fewer complications, positive feelings toward the birthing process, reduced need for medical intervention(s), and shorter hospital stays.

Some of the training we receive includes: techniques for decreasing pain through natural methods such as movement or use of a birthing ball, how best to support Mother and partner as they prepare for the arrival of their newborn, resources for establishing successful breastfeeding, and general knowledge about what to expect during labour and delivery.

I have also completed the Naturopathic Doula course, which focuses more on incorporating our Naturopathic training. This allows us to use appropriate homeopathics, botanicals and acupuncture to assist with preparation for birth and the birthing process as needed. However, some of this training is restricted at this time depending on the location of the birth (eg. home birth versus a hospital birth).

What makes a Naturopathic Doula different from any other Doula?As a Naturopath, I am able to offer you the full extent of my services and experience in addition to my doula training to assist before, during and after labour. That includes the use of my Naturopathic modalities (herbs, homeopathics, acupuncture/accupressure, etc.) as well as the physical and mental/emotional techniques of my doula expertise. We discuss nutrition, supplementation, and do regular medical check-ups. Pain management therapies used include homeopathy, acupressure, and hydrotherapy. With a Naturopathic Doula, you can feel safe in the hands of a healthcare professional with the knowledge of the inner working of the human body and the natural physiology of birth. In this sense you are getting much more than just doula care when you choose to work with me to make your birth the most positive and healthy experience for you and your growing family. In addition, as a Naturopathic Doctor I can address various prenatal and postnatal health concerns such as: Morning Sickness, Candida, Group B Strep, Natural Induction Methods, Low milk supply, and more.

Feel free to ask me any questions you have about incorporating Doula care into your Naturopathic care.

What's Included with My Services:

For birth doula services: *** Often Naturopathic Care is covered by most extended health care plans.***

Birth Doula Services Include:

FREE Meet and Greet, with NO obligation

1-2 prenatal visits

Assistance writing a birth plan, if desired

Discussion of your wants, needs & wishes so that I'm prepared to support you

Unlimited contact through phone or email, throughout your pregnancy

Emotional Support

Accompaniment to a visit with your care provider, if desired

Continuous support throughout your labour, and up to 2 hours after

Photographs of your birth, if desired

2 postpartum visits to assist with breastfeeding, and offer emotional support

An account of your birth story, if desired

If you have any further questions about services or fees, please feel free to contact me. I believe all women who wish to have a doula present should have one, and finances should not be what prevents you from getting doula care.